CONSUMER INFORMATION

If you are a student with a disability and need accommodations, contact the Campus Director.

We provide equal access to qualified individuals with disabilities as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Some of the services that we offer include testing accommodations, note-taking assistance, alternative text, allowing use of assistive technology and tutoring (when available). All accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis during a meeting with the Campus Director.

Parking Locations

SSAG has more than 100 parking spaces in lots that surround the building on campus.

Parking Areas and Accessible Entrances

• Standard Parking Spaces are white.
• Handicapped Spaces are in the front of the facility and are blue.
• All Entrances of the academy are Wheelchair Accessible.

Summit Salon Academy – Gainesville (SSAG) will not discriminate against individuals on the basis of disability.

SSAG will make employment decisions based on the ability of a person to perform the essential functions of a job and not the person’s disability or limitations. Further, the ADA requires the academy to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, if possible.

In this regard the SSAG will:

• evaluate whether a person with a disability is qualified to perform the essential functions of his or her position with or without accommodation; and
• determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be made for a qualified individual.

If you believe you need some type of accommodation, please notify one of the following listed individuals as soon as possible. SSAG will then work with you to determine if a reasonable accommodation is necessary or possible.

Contact Information

Current Employees

Joni Jarrell, 352-331-2424 ext. 7, or email jarrell@ssag.edu

Job Applicants

If you require an accommodation in the application process, please contact the hiring manager at 352-331-2424.

The purpose of the SSAG website is to quickly provide useful, clear and accurate information that students and the community need to know to use SSAG’s services.

The SSAG home page and associated upper-level pages are official publications of SSAG. Unless otherwise indicated, all text, photographs and original graphics are copyrighted and should not be reproduced without written permission from the academy.

Development of the SSAG website is guided by the academy’s marketing and web development team.

Web Accessibility

Summit Salon Academy – Gainesville (SSAG) is committed to offering an accessible, barrier-free learning environment for all students and members of the acadey. The Web is a primary source for information about the academy and its offerings for students and the community. It is also a primary tool used in the delivery of instruction. Additionally, the academy affirms the importance of universal design (accessibility for all users) as an approach that benefits all people, those with physical and learning disabilities as well as individuals with various learning styles and needs. As a result, the academy is committed to providing accessible, barrier-free access to all of the academy’s Web pages.

Therefore, Web pages published and/or hosted by SSAG should be in compliance with the academy’s accessibility standards. Pages within the academy’s web site management system, are designed and programmed to be accessible. Pages outside that system that appear on the SSAG website should abide by these accessibility standards.

• All Web pages must be designed with readability in mind, e.g., there should be sufficient contrast between text and background images to enable the page to be easily read. Color combinations that cause problems for individuals with color blindness should not be used, and so on.
• Alternative text descriptions for all images must be included on all Web pages. The alternative text descriptions must be sufficiently descriptive to convey the same information as would be experienced by a sighted individual.
• Access to the Web pages should be tested using different browser products and versions and on different work stations and platforms.

Students, employees and visitors must comply with the terms of use for the SSAG website and other online communication vehicles.

SSAG’s Technology and Communication Systems are provided for the purpose of promoting SSAG educational activities and conducting business on behalf of SSAG.

Users must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.  To maintain the integrity of the Technology and Communication Systems and to ensure compliance with applicable Policies/Procedures, SSAG has the ability to monitor and manage access and use of the Technology and Communication Systems and may do so in accordance with this Policy.  Any User who violates this Policy may have his/her account and/or User privileges revoked and such violation may result in student/employee disciplinary and/or legal action.

It is the policy of Summit Salon Academy – Gainesville (the “Academy”) to maintain an environment for students, faculty, administrators, staff, and visitors that is free of all forms of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment. The Academy has enacted the Sexual Harassment Policies & Grievance Procedures (the “Policy”) to reflect and maintain its institutional values, to provide for fair and equitable procedures for determining when this Policy has been violated, and to provide recourse for individuals and the community in response to violations of this Policy.

The Policy can be found at the Academy’s website at www.ssag.edu or obtained in person from the Title IX Coordinator (see below).

The Academy does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational, extracurricular, or other programs or in the context of employment. Sex discrimination is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal law that provides:

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

This Policy prohibits all forms of sex discrimination, harassment, and misconduct, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The requirement not to discriminate in the Academy’s education programs or activities extends to admission. This Policy also prohibits retaliation against a person who has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Policy. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Academy’s Title IX coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

The Academy also prohibits other forms of discrimination and harassment, including discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies, including Title IX:

Joni Jarrell, Title IX Coordinator
6915 NW 4th Blvd Ste B
Gainesville, FL 32607
Phone: (352) 331-2424 ext. 4
Email: jarrell@ssag.edu

Inquiries or complaints concerning the Academy’s compliance with Title IX or other federal civil rights laws may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Office for Civil Rights, Atlanta Office
61 Forsyth Street S.W., Suite 19T10
Atlanta, GA 30303-8927
Telephone: (404) 974-9406
Facsimile: (404) 974-9471
Email: OCR.Atlanta@ed.gov

Summit Salon Academy – Gainesville desires to create and sustain an anti-discriminatory environment and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. The Academy will achieve this through education, orientation, and training for all students, staff, and faculty for the purpose of creating awareness of both the issues surrounding discrimination as well as accountability, sensitivity training and anti-discrimination training in their classrooms, at least once while the student is in Academy.

1. Introduction

Summit Salon Academy – Gainesville (the “Academy”) is committed to providing a working and educational environment for all students, faculty and staff that is free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment. Every member of the Academy community should be aware that the Academy is strongly opposed to sexual harassment, and that such behavior is prohibited by state and federal laws.

The Academy does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational, extracurricular, or other programs or in the context of employment. Sex discrimination is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal law that provides:

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

As part of the Academy’s commitment to providing a working and learning environment free from sexual harassment, this Policy shall be disseminated widely to the Academy community through publications, the Academy website, new employee orientations, student orientations, and other appropriate channels of communication. The Academy provides training to key staff members to enable the Academy to handle any allegations of sexual harassment promptly and effectively. The Academy will respond promptly to all reports of sexual harassment and will take appropriate action to prevent, to correct, and if necessary, to discipline behavior that violates this pol

2. Scope of the Policy

This Policy governs sexual harassment that occurs in the Academy’s education programs or activities. This Policy applies to all students, employees, and third parties conducting business with the Academy, regardless of the person’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, nationality, class status, ability, religion or other protected status. The Academy encourages victims of sexual harassment to talk to somebody about what happened – so victims can get the support they need, and so the Academy can respond appropriately. As further described in this Policy, the Academy will seek to respect a victim’s request for confidentiality to the extent possible, while remaining ever mindful of the victim’s well-being.

3. Prohibited Conduct

Sexual harassment comprises a broad range of behaviors focused on sex that may or may not be sexual in nature. Sexual harassment includes an Academy employee conditioning the provision of an Academy aid, benefit, or service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the Academy’s education programs or activities also constitutes sexual harassment. Sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence are all forms of sexual harassment. Retaliation following an incident of alleged sexual harassment or attempted sexual harassment is strictly prohibited. The definitions for specific acts of sexual harassment can be found in the Definitions of Key Terms at the end of this Policy statement.

Sexual harassment can occur between strangers or acquaintances, or people who know each other well, including between people involved in an intimate or sexual relationship, can be committed by anyone regardless of gender identity, and can occur between people of the same or different sex or gender. This Policy prohibits all forms of sexual harassment.

4. Options for Assistance Following an Incident of Sexual Harassment

The Academy strongly encourages any victim of sexual harassment to seek immediate assistance. Seeking prompt assistance may be important to ensure a victim’s physical safety or to obtain medical care. The Academy strongly advocates that a victim of sexual harassment report the incident in a timely manner. Time is a critical factor for evidence collection and preservation.

Reporting Incidents of Sexual Harassment

Victims of sexual harassment may file a report with the Gainesville Police Department. Victims may also file a report with the Academy’s Title IX Coordinator. More information about reporting an incident of sexual harassment can be found in Section 6 of this Policy, below.

The Academy will respond promptly when it has actual knowledge of sexual harassment in its education programs or activities. The Title IX Coordinator will promptly contact the complainant to discuss the availability of supportive measures as described below, consider the complainant’s wishes with respect to supportive measures, inform the complainant of the availability of supportive measures with or without the filing of a formal complaint, and explain to the complainant the process for filing a formal complaint. The Academy will also provide the complainant with written notification about assistance available both within the Academy community and without.

A complainant may choose for the investigation to be pursued through the criminal justice system and/or through the Academy’s disciplinary procedures by filing a formal complaint as described in this Policy. The Academy and the criminal justice system work independently from each other. Law enforcement officers do not determine whether a violation of this Policy has occurred. The Title IX Coordinator will guide the complainant through the available options and support the complainant in his or her decision.

Supportive Measures

The Academy’s Title IX Coordinator will work with all students affected by sexual harassment to ensure their safety and support their wellbeing. This assistance may include providing supportive measures to support or protect a student after an incident of sexual harassment and while an investigation or disciplinary proceeding is pending. Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the complainant or the respondent before or after the filing of a formal complaint or where no formal complaint has been filed. Such measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the Academy’s education programs and activities without unreasonably burdening the other party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or the Academy’s educational environment or deter sexual harassment.

Supportive measures may include:

• counseling,
• extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments,
• modifications of work or class schedules,
• campus escort services,
• mutual restrictions on contact between the parties,
• changes in work or housing locations,
• leaves of absence,
• increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus, and
• other similar measures.

The Academy will maintain as confidential any supportive measures provided to the complainant or respondent, to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality would not impair the ability of the Academy to provide the supportive measures. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the effective implementation of supportive measures.

The measures needed by each student may change over time, and the Title IX Coordinator will communicate with each student throughout any investigation to ensure that any supportive measures are necessary and effective based on the students’ evolving needs. Students who report an incident of sexual harassment may also be able to obtain a formal protection order from a civil or criminal court. The Academy will work with the student and the applicable court to assist in the enforcement of any such protective orders.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable federal and state laws require the academy to protect the privacy of certain personal health information, financial records, educational records and personal customer information. It is the intent of the academy to comply with all applicable provisions of these laws.

Employees shall abide by and follow all Academy Policies, Procedures and workplace rules regarding the safeguarding of such information and shall take all necessary and required measures to otherwise protect private information created, collected, maintained, transmitted or stored by or for the Academy.

Individuals who believe their privacy rights have been violated may file a complaint with the Campus Director in person or at jarrell@ssag.edu.

The regulations under 16 CFR Part 314, published in May 2002 (May 23 Federal Register, p. 346484), stem from the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the GLB Act or the Act) which was enacted in 2000 to repeal Depression-era restrictions prohibiting banks from engaging in “risky” financial practices under the Glass-Steagall Act.

The law mandates extensive new privacy protections for consumers. The GLB Act requires financial institutions to take steps to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, bank and credit card account numbers, income and credit card account numbers, income and credit histories, and Social Security numbers.

Colleges and universities are deemed to be in compliance with the privacy provisions of the GLB Act if they are in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, higher education institutions are subject to the provisions of the Act related to the administrative, technical and physical safeguarding of customer information.

How does GLB differ from FERPA? Both the GLB Act and FERPA have specific requirements regarding privacy of customer financial information. The difference however, is that the GLB Act has requirements pertaining to the actual administrative, technical and physical safeguarding of the customer financial information.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Public Law 106-102) provides consumers the right to the protection of their nonpublic Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and requires financial institutions possessing such information about consumers to publish a privacy policy.

General Privacy Policy

SSAG carefully protects all nonpublic personal information in our possession regarding students and their families. The academy will not release nonpublic, private, personal, or financial information about our students or applicants to any third party, except as specifically provided in this policy.  The academy will release certain nonpublic personal information to federal and state agencies, government contractors, student loan providers/servicers, and other parties as necessary for the administration of the federal student aid programs, for enforcement purposes, for litigation, and for use in connection with audits or other investigations.  Disclosure is permitted to law enforcement or emergency services agencies in the performance of their duties or when student safety or health may be in jeopardy.  The academy will not sell or otherwise make available personal information for marketing purposes to any third party at any time.

Protection of Personally Identifiable Information

The academy employs office procedures and password-protected computer systems to ensure the security of paper and electronic records.  The academy does not disclose specifics of its internal security procedures to students or the public to protect the effectiveness of those procedures.

Access to social security numbers and other Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is strictly limited to those academy officials with a need-to-know.  Each employee is responsible for enforcement of this policy regarding the information within his/her office. The Campus Director will be responsible for overall control of information release and will resolve any disagreements and make final decisions as necessary in accordance with this Policy.

The academy computer information systems are an important asset that is critical to providing an effective and comprehensive learning environment, openly communicating ideas, providing outstanding community service, and supporting the academy’s operations.  This information includes sensitive and personal student, faculty, and staff data as well as the academy’s operational data.  To maintain effectiveness and protect individuals, the academy’s information assets must be protected from misuse, unavailability, destruction, and unauthorized disclosure or modification.   The leadership of academy is committed to protecting the value of the academy’s information assets.  The academy’s Third-party IT Company is charged with establishing and maintaining a program that preserves the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and information systems.  This responsibility is addressed by:

• Continually assessing risks and defining appropriate protection strategies
• Complying with applicable legal and regulatory requirements
• Protecting the reputation, image and competitive advantage of the academy
• Supporting the academy’s strategic mission and goals
• Maintaining partnership with administrative units, faculty, and staff to ensure a collaborative approach to information security

Our third-party IT company deals with numerous threats and challenges including data loss or theft, malicious software (e.g., viruses, worms, Trojan horses), identity theft, social engineering, phishing scams, and risks associated with new technologies.  Security measures also must be implemented to comply with several laws and regulations that address student information (FERPA), financial information, individuals’ privacy data and individuals’ health information.   The third-party IT company offers a wide range of products and services to address information security risks and requirements.  These offerings are designed to balance strategic, tactical, and operational needs, and they include the following specific products and services:

• Security policies, procedures, standards, and methodologies
• Security awareness and training
• Legal and regulatory compliance
• Security strategy, architecture, and technologies (including technologies to protect against malicious software)
• Technical system configurations and vulnerability management
• Response to information security incidents or breaches
• Security requirements for software development and acquisition
• Disaster recovery and continuity planning

Any suspected information security breach or issue should be reported immediately to the academy’s Campus Director.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.) These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the Summit Salon Academy – Gainesville receives a request for access. A student should submit to the Campus Director, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The Campus Director will plan for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.A student who wishes to ask the school to amend a record should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed and specify why it should be changed.If the academy decides not to amend the record as requested, the academy will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing re­garding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before the academy discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.The academy discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is typically including a person employed by the academy in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the academy who performs an institutional service of function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the academy.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the academy to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
   Family Policy Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   400 Maryland Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC  20202
5. FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, § 99.32 of FERPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A postsecondary institution may disclose PII from the education records without obtaining prior written consent of the student —
   • To other school officials, including teachers, within the academy whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the academy has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) – (a)(1)(i)(B)(3) are met. (§ 99.31(a)(1)) To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as a State postsecondary authority that is responsible for supervising the university’s State-supported education programs. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf. (§§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
   • In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§ 99.31(a)(4))
   • To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction. (§ 99.31(a)(6))
   • To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§ 99.31(a)(7))
   • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. (§ 99.31(a)(9))
   • To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to § 99.36. (§ 99.31(a)(10))
   • To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of § 99.39. The disclosure may only include the results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding. (§ 99.31(a)(13))
   • To the public, the results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of § 99.39, if the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her. (§ 99.31(a)(14))

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences and National Center for Education Statistics website to help students search for and compare schools including SSAG.

An interactive calculator for prospective and current students and their families that provide estimated net price information using Cost of Attendance minus estimated aid based on what similar students paid in a previous year. The FAFSA must be completed at www.fafsa.ed.gov to be eligible for and receive Federal student aid funds once all required school-requested documents have been submitted.

The academy offers quality education in cosmetology and other related arts at an affordable cost, however many qualified students will need financial assistance to attend school. To meet this need, Federal Financial Aid is offered to those students who qualify.

A student who must take an approved Leave of Absence (LOA) from training will return to school in the same satisfactory academic progress status as prior to the leave of absence.  A student may be granted a LOA for any of the following reasons and where there is a reasonable expectation that the student will return from the LOA:

1. Medical Issues
2. Military Requirements
3. Jury Duty
4. Mitigating Circumstances beyond the Student’s Control
5. Financial Hardship
6. Personal or Family
7. Staff Recommendation

The LOA must be requested and approved in writing prior to LOA occurring and must specify the reason for the LOA. Emergency LOA, without prior written request, may be granted provided the student completes the LOA form and returns it to the Academy via mail or in person within a reasonable resolution of the emergency. A student who is granted a LOA that meets the above-mentioned criteria is not considered to have withdrawn from the Academy and a refund calculation is not required.

The maximum time frame for a LOA is 180 calendar days. Summit Salon Academy permits more than one LOA provided the total number of days of all LOA’s does not exceed 180 calendar days in the student’s enrollment at the academy.

The day the student returns from a LOA the student is required to inform the financial aid office of their return. The student’s contract will be extended for the same number of days the student was on a LOA without any additional institutional charges or penalty to the student. If the student is receiving Federal Direct Loans, no aid will be disbursed during the LOA.

Students not returning from an official LOA by the expected date of return will be considered withdrawn from the school. The school is required to take attendance and therefore the date of withdrawal will be considered the last day the student was in attendance. A refund calculation will be completed and any refunds due to the US Department of Education and/or the student will be returned. The student’s loans will enter repayment 6 months from the students last date of attendance.

VA students will be terminated from VA educational benefits while on an approved leave of absence. (The school is not responsible for any equipment left at the school)

Official Withdrawal

Students who wish to withdraw completely from the academy must contact and schedule a meeting with the school’s Campus Director to complete the necessary withdraw papers.

Unofficial Withdrawal

If a student stops attending classes with no notification given to the school, after five scheduled class days of no attendance and no attendance the student is considered unofficially withdrawn. Additionally, if the student does call out for each absence but is absent from all classes for 14 consecutive days the student will be automatically withdrawn based on USDOE guidelines.

This policy applies to all students (or Legal Guardian) regardless of whether the student has started training. Should the student be terminated or cancel for any reason, all refunds will be made according to the following refund schedule:

1. Cancellation must be made in person or by certified mail. Cancellation date is determined by post mark or day student delivers notice in person.
2. All monies will be refunded if the academy does not accept the applicant or if the student cancels within three (3) business days after signing the Enrollment Agreement and making initial payment.
3. Cancellation after the third (3^rd) business day, but before the first class, will result in a refund of all monies paid, apart from the registration fee. NOTE: USED BOOKS and/or OPENED KITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
4. Withdraw after attendance has begun, but prior to 40% completion of the program, will result in a pro rata refund computed on the number of hours scheduled to the total program hours, apart from the registration fee and the books and kits fee. NOTE: USED BOOKS and/or OPENED KITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. Refunds are calculated on hours scheduled, as of last date of attendance.
5. Students withdrawing after 40%, but less than 50%, will be responsible for 70% of the total tuition. Withdraw after completing 50% of the program will result in no refund.
   

   Settlement Formula

   00.01% – 40.00%	Prorated refund computed on the number of hours scheduled to attend
   40.01% – 49.99%	70% Tuition
   50.00% and Over	100% Tuition

6. Termination Date: The termination date for refund computation purposes is the date the institution has determined that the student has withdrawn unless written notice has been received.
7. Refunds will be made within 30 days of termination or receipt of cancellation notice.
8. A student can be dismissed, at the discretion of the Director, for insufficient progress, non-payment of costs, or failure to comply with rules and policies established by the institution as outlined in the catalog, student consumer information/handbook and this agreement.
9. Students who drop and are receiving veteran’s educational benefits shall be refunded their fees based on a pro-rata formula. (Hours remaining divided by Total Required Hours multiplied by the Tuition Charged). If the student has completed the program no refund will be issued. Note: USED BOOKS and/or OPENED KITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
10. Students using Federal Title IV Funds will follow (#1-#8 above) AFTER the Return of Unearned Title IV Funds Calculation has been made. This calculation often results in the Student owing tuition and fees to The Academy. The Federal Return of Title IV Funds Calculation will be used for students who have received financial assistance under the Higher Education Act, i.e. Federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans or Federal PLUS Loans awarded under the Direct Loan Program. If the enrollment is terminated during the first 60% OF THE SCHEDULED HOURS OF ANY PAYMENT PERIOD, THE Federal Return of Title IV Funds Calculation will apply. If over 60% of the scheduled payment period has elapsed, no refund is due. Students will receive refund within 45 days of termination or receipt of cancellation notice.
    

    Settlement Formula

    00.01% – 40.00%	Prorated refund computed on the number of hours scheduled to attend
    40.01% – 49.99%	70% Tuition
    50.00% and Over	100% Tuition

    In cases of extreme mitigating circumstances, the academy reserves the right to consider these extreme circumstances and exceed the Tuition Adjustment Guidelines. This policy exception must be presented with documentation of death certificate, military deployment notification, etc.

If a student officially or unofficially withdraws from their course the student will be required to repay all or part of the financial assistance disbursed in that payment period.

The Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation is determined by the number of days that a student attended classes during the payment period. If a student attends less than 60% of the payment period, the student will need to repay a portion of their financial assistance. For students who officially withdraw, the calculation will be made within 30 days of the withdrawal date. For students who unofficially withdraw, the calculation will be made within 30 days of the date that the school determined the student to be withdrawn.

*Once a student has completed more than 60% of the payment period, the student will not incur repayment of financial aid funds; however, future financial aid could be affected due to not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.

The academy’s institutional refund policy is separate from the federal requirement to return funds when a student withdraws. The amount returned is not dependent on if the student received a refund or how much the refund was.

Funds that are required to be returned on behalf of the student will be sent within 45 days of the withdrawal date. Federal regulations require Title IV aid to be refunded in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan
2. Subsidized Federal Direct Loan
3. Federal PLUS Loan
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

The student (or parents for a PLUS loan) must return any loan funds in accordance with the terms of their promissory note(s). That is, the student makes scheduled payments to the holder of the loan over a period.

For grants, the law requires the student return 50% of any grant funds they receive. Any amount the student is required to return is a grant overpayment. The academy will repay any grant overpayment to the applicable federal program on the student’s behalf.

The academy will notify the student when a calculation is performed. The student will be billed for any outstanding obligations.

The unlawful manufacture, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance (drugs) and the unlawful possession, use, or both, of alcohol, are prohibited in and on property owned or controlled by the academy.

No employee or student is to report to work, attend class, or participate in any activity while under the influence of one or more illegal drug or alcohol.

The possession and use of alcoholic beverages by employees, students, and guest of the academy are always subject to applicable state alcoholic beverage laws, as well as city ordinances within our service area, and the academy’s policy.

Violation of the policy and laws referenced above by an employee or student will be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion in accordance with applicable academy policies. Violators may be consistent with local, state, and federal criminal laws. Disciplinary action taken against a student or employee of the academy does not preclude the possibility of criminal charges being filed against that individual. The filing of criminal charges similarly does not preclude disciplinary action by the Academy. Students or employees who believe disciplinary action was taken in error should follow the grievance procedures outlined in the student or employee handbook as appropriate.

Federal Law

Federal law prohibits the illegal possession, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substance. The following information, although not complete, provides an overview of federal penalties for first convictions.

Denial of Federal Benefits (21 U.S.C. #862)

A federal drug conviction may result in the loss of federal benefits, including school loans, grants, scholarships, contracts, and licenses. Federal drug possession convictions may result in denial of federal benefits for up to one year for a first conviction and up to five years for subsequent convictions. Federal drug trafficking convictions may result in denial of federal benefits for up to five years for a first conviction.

Forfeiture of Personal Property and Real Estate (21 U.S.C. #853)

Any person convicted of a federal drug offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year shall forfeit to the United States any property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained because of such violation or any property used to commit or facilitate such violation.

Federal Drug Possession Penalties (21 U.S.C. #844)

Federal sanctions for possession of control substances range from minimum fines of $1,000.00 to $5,000.00, and /or imprisonment from up to one year to three years, depending on the number of offenses.

Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties (21 U.S.C.(#841))

Federal drug trafficking penalties vary and are outlined in the charts found on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website at http://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ftp3.shtml.

Florida Law

Possession

Possession of 20 grams or less is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of 1-year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000.

Possession of more than 20 grams is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000.

Possession of 25 or more plants is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail and a fine of $10,000. Possession of less than 25 plant is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000.

Sale and/or Delivery

The delivery of 20 grams or less without remuneration is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of 1-year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000.

The sale of 25 lbs. or less is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000.

The sale of 25 lbs.-2,000 lbs. (or 300-2,000 plants) is a felony punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $25,000.

The sale of 2,000 lbs.-10,000 lbs. (or 2,000-10,000 plants) is a felony punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment as well as a maximum fine of $50,000.

The sale of 10,000 lbs. or more is a felony punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment as well as a maximum fine of $200,000.

Sale or delivery within 1,000 feet of a school, college, park, or other specified areas is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Hash and Concentrates

Hashish or concentrates are considered schedule I narcotics in Florida. Possession of hashish or concentrates is a felony in the third degree. A felony of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment no greater than 5 years and a fine no greater than $5,000.

Possessing more than 3 grams of hash, selling, manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver, hashish or concentrates is a felony of the third degree. A felony of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment no greater than 5 years and a fine no greater than $5,000.

The offense is charged as a felony of the second degree if the offense occurred:

• within 1,000 feet of a child care facility between 6 A.M. and 12 midnight;
• within 1,000 feet of a park or community center;
• within 1,000 feet of a college, university or other postsecondary educational institute;
• within 1,000 feet of any church or place of worship that conducts religious activities;
• within 1,000 feet of any convenience business;
• within 1,000 feet of public housing;
• within 1,000 feet or an assisted living facility.

A felony of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment no greater than 15 years and a fine no greater than $10,000.

Florida defines any product, equipment, or device used to make hashish or concentrates as drug paraphernalia.

Paraphernalia

Possession of drug paraphernalia is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of one-year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000.

Miscellaneous

Conviction causes a driver’s license suspension for a period of 2 years.

Mandatory Minimum Sentence

When someone is convicted of an offense punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence, the judge must sentence the defendant to the mandatory minimum sentence or to a higher sentence. The judge has no power to sentence the defendant to less time than the mandatory minimum. A prisoner serving a mandatory minimum sentence for a federal offense and for most state offenses will not be eligible for parole. Even peaceful marijuana smokers sentenced to “life mandatory minimum sentence” must serve a life sentence with no chance of parole.

Specific serious health risks are associated with the use of alcohol and illicit drugs. Some of the major risks are listed below.

Alcohol and Other Depressants (barbiturates, sedatives, and tranquilizers)

Addiction, accidents because of impaired ability and judgment, alcohol poisoning, overdose when used with other depressants, damage to a developing fetus, heart and liver damage.

Marijuana

Impair short-term memory, thinking, and physical coordination. Can cause panic reaction and increase the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Can interfere with judgment, attention span, concentration, and overall intellectual performance. Impairs driving ability. May cause psychological dependence and compromise the immune system.

Cocaine

Addiction, cardiovascular system damage including heart attack, brain damage, seizures, lung damage, severe depression, paranoia, psychosis. Similar risks are associated with other stimulants, such as speed and uppers.

Nicotine

Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemical compounds, many of which are known to cause cancer. Nicotine, which is a central nervous system stimulant, produces an increase in heart and respiration rates, blood pressure, adrenaline production and metabolism. People can rapidly become physically and psychologically dependent on tobacco. Compromises the immune system.

Inhalants

Inhalants are a diverse group of chemicals that easily evaporate and can cause intoxication when their vapors are inhaled. Most inhalants are central nervous system depressants. Use of these drugs slows down many body functions. High does can cause severe breathing failure and sudden death. Chronic abuse of some of these chemicals can lead to irreversible liver damage and other health problems.

Prescription Drug Abuse

Adverse reactions, dependency, withdrawal, and overdose.

A variety of resources exist for alcohol and other drug prevention education, counseling, and referral. Below are various counseling options that may be available from local counseling centers:

Individual Assessment and Counseling

1. Early intervention, assessment, education, and referral
2. Educational sessions for those concerned about alcohol or another drug use
3. Judicial referrals
4. State mandated offender programs
5. Personalized screening for alcohol use
6. Harm reduction training
7. Support Groups

Educational Programs

1. Speakers on a wide variety of topics related to drug and alcohol use
2. Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS)
3. Choices
4. Alcohol, drug, and marijuana use programs

Events

1. Alcohol and drug free events
2. Safer Spring Break
3. Make Tailgating Yours
4. Keeping it Safe and Sober (KISS) Parties
5. Mocktail Parties
6. Drunk Driving Simulator Activity
7. Drunk Driving Awareness & Driver Safety Activities

Below is information on effective treatment approaches for drug abuse and addiction. If you’re seeking treatment, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) or go to www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov  for information on hotlines, counseling services, or treatment options in the state of Florida.

How is drug addiction treated?

Successful treatment has several steps:

• detoxification (the process by which the body rids itself of a drug)
• behavioral counseling
• medication (for opioid, tobacco, or alcohol addiction)
• evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as depression and anxiety
• long-term follow-up to prevent relapse

A range of care with a tailored treatment program and follow-up options can be crucial to success. Treatment should include both medical and mental health services as needed. Follow-up care may include community- or family-based recovery support systems.

How are medications used in drug addiction treatment?

Medications can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, and treat co-occurring conditions.

Withdrawal

Medications help suppress withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. Detoxification is not in itself “treatment,” but only the first step in the process. Patients who do not receive any further treatment after detoxification usually resume their drug use. One study of treatment facilities found that medications were used in almost 80 percent of detoxifications (SAMHSA, 2014).

Relapse prevention

Patients can use medications to help re-establish normal brain function and decrease cravings. Medications are available for treatment of opioid (heroin, prescription pain relievers), tobacco (nicotine), and alcohol addiction. Scientists are developing other medications to treat stimulant (cocaine, methamphetamine) and cannabis (marijuana) addiction. People who use more than one drug, which is very common, need treatment for all the substances they use.

• Opioids: Methadone (Dolophine®, Methadose®), buprenorphine (Suboxone®, Subutex®, Probuphine®), and naltrexone (Vivitrol®) are used to treat opioid addiction. Acting on the same targets in the brain as heroin and morphine, methadone and buprenorphine suppress withdrawal symptoms and relieve cravings. Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids at their receptor sites in the brain and should be used only in patients who have already been detoxified. All medications help patients reduce drug seeking and related criminal behavior and help them become more open to behavioral treatments.
• Tobacco: Nicotine replacement therapies have several forms, including the patch, spray, gum, and lozenges. These products are available over the counter. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two prescription medications for nicotine addiction: bupropion (Zyban®) and varenicline (Chantix®). They work differently in the brain, but both help prevent relapse in people trying to quit. The medications are more effective when combined with behavioral treatments, such as group and individual therapy as well as telephone quit lines.
• Alcohol: Three medications have been FDA-approved for treating alcohol addiction and a fourth, topiramate, has shown promise in clinical trials (large-scale studies with people). The three approved medications are as follows:
  • Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors that are involved in the rewarding effects of drinking and in the craving for alcohol. It reduces relapse to heavy drinking and is highly effective in some patients. Genetic differences may affect how well the drug works in certain patients.
  • Acamprosate (Campral®) may reduce symptoms of long-lasting withdrawal, such as insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, and dysphoria (generally feeling unwell or unhappy). It may be more effective in patients with severe addiction.
  • Disulfiram (Antabuse®) interferes with the breakdown of alcohol. Acetaldehyde builds up in the body, leading to unpleasant reactions that include flushing (warmth and redness in the face), nausea, and irregular heartbeat if the patient drinks alcohol. Compliance (taking the drug as prescribed) can be a problem, but it may help patients who are highly motivated to quit drinking.
• Co-occurring conditions: Other medications are available to treat possible mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, that may be contributing to the person’s addiction.

How are behavioral therapies used to treat drug addiction?

Behavioral therapies help patients:

• modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug use
• increase healthy life skills
• persist with other forms of treatment, such as medication

Patients can receive treatment in many different settings with various approaches.

Outpatient behavioral treatment includes a wide variety of programs for patients who visit a behavioral health counselor on a regular schedule. Most of the programs involve individual or group drug counseling, or both. These programs typically offer forms of behavioral therapy such as:

• cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps patients recognize, avoid, and cope with the situations in which they are most likely to use drugs
• multidimensional family therapy—developed for adolescents with drug abuse problems as well as their families—which addresses a range of influences on their drug abuse patterns and is designed to improve overall family functioning
• motivational interviewing, which makes the most of people’s readiness to change their behavior and enter treatment
• motivational incentives (contingency management), which uses positive reinforcement to encourage abstinence from drugs

Treatment is sometimes intensive at first, where patients attend multiple outpatient sessions each week. After completing intensive treatment, patients transition to regular outpatient treatment, which meets less often and for fewer hours per week to help sustain their recovery.

Inpatient or residential treatment can also be very effective, especially for those with more severe problems (including co-occurring disorders). Licensed residential treatment facilities offer 24-hour structured and intensive care, including safe housing and medical attention. Residential treatment facilities may use a variety of therapeutic approaches, and they are generally aimed at helping the patient live a drug-free, crime-free lifestyle after treatment. Examples of residential treatment settings include:

• Therapeutic communities, which are highly structured programs in which patients remain at a residence, typically for 6 to 12 months. The entire community, including treatment staff and those in recovery, act as key agents of change, influencing the patient’s attitudes, understanding, and behaviors associated with drug use. Read more about therapeutic communities in the Therapeutic Communities Research Report at https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/therapeutic-communities.
• Shorter-term residential treatment, which typically focuses on detoxification as well as providing initial intensive counseling and preparation for treatment in a community-based setting.
• Recovery housing, which provides supervised, short-term housing for patients, often following other types of inpatient or residential treatment. Recovery housing can help people make the transition to an independent life—for example, helping them learn how to manage finances or seek employment, as well as connecting them to support services in the community.

Agency Name	Contact Number
Drug & Alcohol Treatment Association	(866) 684-6303
Gainesville Police Department	(352) 393-7500
Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence	(855) 886-5620
Sexual Assault Trauma Resource Center (National)	(800) 656-4673
Alachua County Crisis Center	(352) 264-6789
National Domestic Violence Hotline	(800) 787-3224
Florida Domestic Violence Hotline	(800) 500-1119
Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Hotline	(800) 323-4673
Florida Abuse Hotline	(800) 962-2873
Florida AIDS/HIV Hotline	(800) 352-2437
Alachua County Health Dept	(352) 334-7900

1: Before Beginning FAFSA

• Gather the documents you’ll need.
  • To complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will need:
    • Your Social Security Number
    • Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
    • Your most recent federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
    • Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
    • Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
    • An FSA ID to sign electronically.

If you are a dependent student, then you will also need most of the above information for your parent(s).

• Create your FSA ID. It is recommended that you create your FSA ID before you begin to fill out the FAFSA application, this can be done at http://fsaid.ed.gov. This is your electronic signature for federal student aid and gives you online access to your U.S. Department of Education records. If you are a dependent student, your parents must also apply for an FSA ID. Only the owner of the FSA ID should create and use the account. Never share your FSA ID. You may request a duplicate FSA ID or change your FSA on the FAFSA website. If you have a Federal Student Aid PIN, you will be able to enter it and link it to your FSA ID. You can still create an FSA ID if you have forgotten or do not have a PIN. Your FSA ID will need to be renewed every 18 months. Students whose last names have changed need to make sure their last name is correct with the Social Security Administration.

2: Filling Out a FAFSA

• Complete a FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1 each year, regardless of the date you plan to begin school, this can be done at http://fafsa.ed.gov.
• If you cannot complete a FAFSA online, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243 to request a paper copy or contact the schools Financial Aid Office
• Make sure you choose the academy’s school code: 041631.
• To help eliminate delays, file your tax return early and use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import income information. In certain circumstances, the FAFSA allows a student and/or parent to use information directly from the IRS to complete the financial portion. The academy highly recommends this option, if available, as it can speed up the application process. IRS tax information is available two weeks after filing electronically or six to eight weeks if the tax return was mailed.

3: FAFSA Follow-Up

• If you provide all required information and required signatures, your FAFSA will be processed and a Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent to you and the colleges you have listed. Your SAR summarizes the data reported on your FAFSA.
• Three to five business days after you submit the FAFSA, go back to the FAFSA website to review your Student Aid Report for accuracy. Follow the directions on the SAR to submit any needed corrections.
• You do not need to send a copy of your SAR to the academy.
• Check your financial aid status by contacting the academy’s Financial Aid Office to determine what items you may need to complete for your individual financial situation.

Students with criminal convictions have limited eligibility for federal student aid.

Make sure you understand your status, and don’t assume you can’t get aid. Your eligibility for federal student aid can be affected by incarceration and/or the type of conviction you have.

If I’m incarcerated, can I get federal student aid?

You have limited eligibility for federal student aid.

Once you’re released, most eligibility limitations will be removed. In fact, you may apply for aid before you’re released so your aid is processed in time for you to start school. However, if your incarceration was for a drug-related offense or if you are subject to an involuntary civil commitment for a sexual offense, your eligibility may be limited.

Even if you are ineligible for federal aid, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, because most schools and states use FAFSA information to award nonfederal aid, and you might be able to get some of those funds.

If I’m on probation or parole, can I get federal student aid?

Yes; if you are on probation or parole or living in a halfway house, you may be eligible for federal Student aid. But remember, if you were convicted of a drug-related offense or if you are subject to an involuntary civil commitment for a sexual offense, your eligibility may be limited.

Is it true that drug convictions might affect my ability to get federal student aid?

Yes; your eligibility might be suspended if the offense occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (grants, loans, or work-study). When you complete the FAFSA form, you will be asked whether you had a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid. If the answer is yes, you will be provided a worksheet to help you determine whether your conviction affects your eligibility for federal student aid.

If your eligibility for federal student aid has been suspended due to a drug conviction, you can regain eligibility early by successfully completing an approved drug rehabilitation program or by passing two unannounced drug tests administered by an approved drug rehabilitation program. If you regain eligibility during the award year, notify your financial aid office immediately so you can get any aid you’re eligible for.

If you are convicted of a drug-related offense after you submit the FAFSA form, you might lose eligibility for federal student aid, and you might be liable for returning any financial aid you received during a period of ineligibility.

What other convictions might affect my aid?

If you have been convicted of a forcible or nonforcible sexual offense, and you are subject to an involuntary civil commitment upon completion of a period of incarceration for that offense, you cannot receive a Federal Pell Grant.

Financial need is a student’s calculated eligibility for financial assistance which is determined by subtracting the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from the COA (Cost of Attendance).

Many types of financial aid are awarded on the basis of financial need. Financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships and federal work study can be awarded to meet your financial need. Most federal student aid programs are awarded based on financial need except for Unsubsidized Direct Loans and Direct PLUS (Parent) Loans.

Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a number used to determine your federal financial aid eligibility. It measures the strength of your family’s resources and its ability to contribute toward your cost of attendance. Your EFC figure is determined by an objective, congressionally approved need analysis formula. It is not the amount of money that your family must provide.

All data used to calculate your EFC comes from the information you provided on the FAFSA. Your family’s income (taxable and untaxed) and assets are considered in determining your EFC. Your family size and the number of family members who will be attending a college or career school are also considered.

Your EFC is used in this equation to determine your financial need.

Cost of Attendance – Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need

The EFC Formula Guide can assist you in calculating your EFC.

When you apply for federal student aid, the Financial Aid Office uses your cost of attendance (COA) in determining how much aid you can receive. The COA is the total estimated cost for a student to attend a school – expressed as a yearly figure. It is determined using rules established by law.

Cost of Attendance Example

Below is an example of the costs estimated for the following academic year for an independent student who is an Alachua County resident living in an apartment and enrolled in a total of 1200 clock hours for the 2024-2025 school year.

$15,600	– tuition and fees
$2618.	56 – books and supplies
$5,943	– room and board
$2,814	– transportation costs
$1,302	– miscellaneous and personal expenses
$100	– loan fees
$28,377.56	= total cost of attendance

Cost of attendance expenses include tuition and fees, allowances for housing and food, books, supplies, transportation, miscellaneous and personal expenses and loan fees. Other costs that can be added to COA are dependent care and costs related to a disability. If you have these or other expenses, please contact the Financial Aid Office to see if you qualify to have these included in your cost of attendance.

If a student has additional expenses not adequately covered in the standard cost of attendance budget, they must contact the Financial Aid Office and provide documentation to request their budgets be increased. The decision of the Financial Aid Office is final and limited to expenses while attending SSAG.

The following factors are taken into consideration by the Director of Financial Aid when determining the cost of attendance budget for a student:

Tuition is established annually by the SSAG Campus Director on a per clock hour basis.

Book Costs are based on the amount SSAG charges students for the books required for their program of study.

Miscellaneous/Room and Board/Transportation Expenses are costs based off College Board’s Living Expense Budgets. They state that 28% of the budget is Miscellaneous, 54% is Housing (with 26% of that as food) and 18% is Transportation.

Childcare (if added) is based on the Florida childcare subsidy rate.

Loan Fees are based on an average of loan fees. All students have it in their budget whether they accept loans or not.

By signing your estimated award letter, you accept these terms and conditions for your federal student financial aid award:

1. You authorize Summit Salon Academy – Gainesville to pay any institutional charges you have incurred in excess of tuition and course fees.
2. You may not receive federal aid from more than one higher education institution at a time.
3. Financial Aid and institutional scholarships will not be disbursed (paid) prior to the last payment period of your program.
4. You must be in a financial aid eligible certificate program and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards each payment period.
5. You must be enrolled at least half-time to be entitled to Pell and loan funds.
6. Your financial aid funds will be paid based on the eligible hours you are actually enrolled which apply towards your program.
7. You recognize that any scholarship may impact eligibility for institutional and federal aid programs.
8. If you drop classes, this may have an impact on current and future financial aid eligibility and you may owe SSAG.
9. You must complete all outstanding requirements before your financial aid disburses.
10. Any funds not accepted after 4 weeks will be canceled.

Federal, state and private grants and scholarships are awarded first. All funding resources are included as part of a student’s financial aid package, including federal and state grants, scholar-ships, certain Veterans benefits, loans, and any other educational benefits paid to cover expenses because of enrollment. William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans are awarded next. If it is determined that you do not have financial need, you can still apply for an unsubsidized Direct Loan or scholarships based on merit. In addition, parents can apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans.

If you receive scholarship or other funds that are not listed on your financial aid awards, you must notify the Financial Aid Office. Reporting this information early will help prevent changes in eligibility that can result in reductions of other financial aid.

If a reduction of financial aid is required, loans are reduced first, followed by forms of free financial assistance. In some cases, Florida Prepaid funds are reduced to allow for specific scholarship funds. The Federal Student Aid website http://studentaid.ed.gov offers an overview of the financial aid process. If you want an estimate of your financial aid award, use the FAF-SA4caster.

Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations CFR 668.16 (g) Standards of Administrative Capability require an institution to refer to the Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) any credible information indicating that an applicant for Title IV federal student aid may have engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with his or her application. Remember that fraud is the intent to deceive as opposed to a mistake. If you suspect such intent on the part of a student, report it to the OIG by telephoning 1-800-MISUSED.

The Department of Education has regulations to ensure that only eligible students receive financial aid. Verification is the process used to confirm the data you provided on the FAFSA. It is to your benefit to submit all requested items as quickly as possible since your financial aid file cannot be reviewed or completed until verification is complete. If there are any differences found between information reported on the FAFSA and the actual figures provided in the verification documents, the academy will submit the corrections on your behalf. Your financial aid award will be based on the corrected information.

Your financial aid file may have been selected for verification randomly by the federal processor, or because your file appears to have errors or conflicting information. If your file is selected, requested documentation should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing your financial aid.

If you are a dependent student and both biological and/or adoptive parents reside in the same household, you will need to provide both parents’ information regardless of their marital status or gender.

If you are an independent student and your marital status on the date the FAFSA was completed was “married,” you will need to provide your spouse’s information regardless of gender.

A student/parent is considered “married” if the student/parent was legally married in any domestic or foreign jurisdiction that recognizes that relationship as a legal marriage, regardless of where the couple resides. This determination applies to same sex or opposite sex couples. This determination does not apply to domestic partnership, civil unions, or similar formal relationships recognized under state law.

Professional Judgment is the review of a student’s eligibility for financial aid due to extenuating circumstances that may change the family’s ability to contribute to the student’s educational expenses.  Through Professional Judgment, the Financial Aid Office reviews the information submitted and may make appropriate changes to individual items on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) such as adjusted gross income, child support, etc.  This authority is granted to financial aid offices through the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, as amended.

Philosophy

The Financial Aid Office’s Professional Judgment policy serves to assist families by reviewing their special circumstances.  To make appropriate adjustments and to be good stewards of our funding, we must have the most accurate information available concerning the family’s financial situation.  Therefore, it is necessary to request documentation from the student and other parties as determined by the Financial Aid Office to substantiate any claims of extenuating circumstances.

A Dependency Override occurs when a financial aid administrator exercises professional judgment and overrides the Department of Education’s criteria for dependent students. An override may only be granted on a case-by-case basis for students with unusual circumstances. Parental incarceration, abusive family environment that threatens the student’s health or safety, or parental abandonment are some reasons for which a dependency override may be considered. In these rare instances, students may complete a Dependency Override Worksheet.

What is Not Considered

Students are not considered independent for financial aid purposes for any of the following reasons:

• Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education
• Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax pur­poses
• Parents live away from student or in a foreign country
• Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency

Students who think their unusual circumstances may warrant a dependency override should file the Dependency Override Worksheet.

The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is consistently applied to all students enrolled at the school. It is printed in the catalog to ensure that all students receive a copy prior to enrollment. The policy complies with the guidelines established by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) and the federal regulations established by the United States Department of Education.

Evaluation Periods

*Transfer Students SAP is evaluated at the midpoint of the contracted hours or the established evaluation periods, whichever comes first.

Evaluations will determine if the student has met the minimum requirements for satisfactory academic progress. The frequency of evaluations ensures that students have had at least one evaluation by midpoint in the course.

Attendance Progress Evaluations

Students are required to attend a minimum of 85% of their scheduled hours based on the applicable schedule to be considered maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Evaluations are conducted at the end of each financial aid payment period for the program the student is attending to determine if the student has met the minimum requirements. The attendance percentage is determined by dividing the total hours accrued by the total number of hours scheduled. At the end of each evaluation period, the school will determine if the student has maintained at least 85% cumulative attendance since the beginning of the course which indicates that, given the same attendance rate, the student will graduate within the maximum time frame allowed.

Maximum Time-Frame

The maximum time (which does not exceed 118% of the course length) allowed for students to complete each course at satisfactory academic progress is stated below:

Cosmetology 1200 Hours – 1416 hours	Cosmetology 1500 Hours – 1770 hours
Skin Care Specialist – 366 hours	Full Specialist (Skin & Nail Care) -708 hours

The maximum time allowed for transfer students who need less than the full course requirements will have their maximum timeframe determined based on 118% of the scheduled contracted hours. Students who have not completed the course within the maximum timeframe will be withdrawn from their program of study.

Academic Progress Evaluations

Fundamentals Classes

During Fundamentals Classes, first 280 hours (first 8 weeks for full-time students and first 16 weeks for part-time students), Academic Progress Evaluations will be conducted by the students assigned educator. All techniques that the student performs during this period will be performed on mannequins or classmates in the student’s class.

Before a student can perform any services on academy guests and enter the Salon Area Classroom they must pass their Section A Exam with a grade of 75% or higher. A student who fails to make a 75% on their first attempt will be given a second exam. If a student fails to make a 75% or better on both attempts, then the student will be withdrawn from the program.

Salon Area Classroom

The qualitative element used to determine academic progress is a reasonable system of grades as determined by assigned academic learning. Students are assigned academic learning and a minimum number of practical experiences. Academic learning is evaluated after each unit of study.

Practical assignments are evaluated as completed and counted toward course completion only when rated as satisfactory or better (the computer system will reflect completion of the practical assignment as an 85% or higher rating). If the performance does not meet satisfactory requirements, it is not counted, and the performance must be repeated.

At least two comprehensive practical skills evaluations will be conducted during study. Practical skills are evaluated according to textbook procedures and set forth in practical skills evaluation criteria adopted by the school.

Students must maintain a written grade point average of 85% and a minimum attendance percentage of 85% to be considered a graduate. Students must make up all missed exams and incomplete assignments. Students have the option to retake a failed exam in efforts to improve a failing accumulative GPA.  The Average of the exams is then entered as the students’ final grade in the subject area. makeup exams must be taken on the student’s break time. Numerical grades are considered according to the following scale:

The grading scale for all academic work is as follows:

100 – 94%	Honor Roll
93 – 89%	Above Average
88 – 85%	Average
84% and below	Unsatisfactory

Determination of Progress Status

Students meeting the minimum requirements for academics (85%) and attendance (85%) at the evaluation point are making satisfactory academic progress until the next scheduled evaluation. Students deemed not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress may have their Title IV Funding interrupted, unless the student is on warning or has prevailed upon appeal resulting in a status of probation.

Warning

Students who fail to meet minimum requirements for attendance or academic progress are placed on warning and considered to not be making satisfactory academic progress while during the warning period. The student will be advised in writing on the actions required by them to attain satisfactory academic progress by the next evaluation. If at the end of the warning period, the student has still not met both the attendance and academic requirements, he/she will be placed on probation.

Probation

Students who fail to meet minimum requirements for attendance or academic progress after the warning period will be placed on probation and considered to not be making satisfactory academic progress while during the probationary period. The student will lose all federal financial aid during this period unless the student appeals the decision, and the appeal has been approved by the schools advisory committee.

Additionally, only students who can meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy standards by the end of the evaluation period may be deemed eligible to be placed on probation. Students who do not have the ability to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress by the end of the evaluation period will be withdrawn from the academy. If the students appeal is denied but the student can meet Satisfactory Academic Progress by the maximum timeframe then the student will be allowed to continue as a cash pay student.

Students who submit an appeal and are granted an appeal will be placed on an academic plan and must be able to meet the requirements set forth in the academic plan by the end of the next evaluation period. Students who are progressing according to their specific academic plan will be considered making Satisfactory Academic Progress.

The student will be advised in writing of the actions required to attain satisfactory academic progress by the next evaluation. If at the end of the probationary period, the student has still not met both the attendance and academic requirements required for satisfactory academic progress, he/she will be determined as NOT making satisfactory academic progress and will not be deemed eligible to receive Title IV funds.

Re-Establishment of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students may re-establish satisfactory academic progress and Title IV aid, as applicable, by meeting minimum attendance and academic requirements by the end of the warning or probationary period at the next scheduled evaluation.

Appeal Procedure

If a student is determined to not be making satisfactory academic progress, the student may appeal the determination within ten calendar days.

Reasons for which students may appeal a negative progress determination include:

• death of a relative,
• an injury or illness of the student,
• or any other allowable special or mitigating circumstance.

The student must submit a written appeal to the school on the designated form describing why they failed to meet satisfactory academic progress standards, along with supporting documentation of the reasons why the determination should be reversed. This information should include what has changed about the student’s situation that will allow them to achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress by the next evaluation point.

The Academy will notify the student of the results of the appeal as soon as possible, but no later than 5 business days following the decision of an appeal. The appeal and decision documents will be retained in the student file. If the student prevails upon appeal, the satisfactory academic progress determination will be reversed, and federal financial aid will be reinstated, if applicable. If the students appeal is denied the student is placed on Probation and all Title IV Finance Aid will be terminated.

Noncredit, Remedial Courses, Repetitions

Noncredit, remedial courses and repetitions do not apply to this institution. Therefore, these items have no effect upon the school’s satisfactory academic progress standards.

Transfer Hours

Regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student’s transfer hours will be counted as both attempted and earned hours for determining when the allowable maximum time frame has been exhausted. SAP evaluation periods are based on actual contracted hours at the institution.

Entrance Counseling

If you have not previously received a Direct Loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL), the Federal Government requires you to complete entrance counseling at http://www.studentloans.gov to ensure that you understand the responsibilities and obligations you are assuming.

If you complete your entrance counseling to borrow a loan as an undergraduate student, then the entrance counseling fulfills counseling requirements for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Exit Counseling

If you are graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below half-time, you must complete Student Loan Exit Counseling at http://www.studentloans.gov. Exit counseling provides important information you need to prepare to repay your federal student loan(s).

If you have received a subsidized, unsubsidized or PLUS loan under the Direct Loan Program or the FFEL Program, you must complete exit counseling each time you:

• Drop below half-time enrollment
• Graduate
• Leave School

Note: The FFEL Program ended June 30, 2010 and no new loans have been made under the FFEL Program after that date.

At the end of the exit counseling session, you will be asked for information that will be included as part of your loan records. You must provide the following:

• Names, addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers for:
  • Your next of kin
  • Two references who live in the U.S.
  • Your future employer (if known)

Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note)

The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). Unless your school does not allow more than one loan to be made under the same MPN, you can borrow additional Direct Loans on a single MPN for up to 10 years. Your school will tell you what loans, if any, you are eligible to receive.

No officer or employee of the SSAG’s financial aid office, or an employee or agent who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans, shall solicit or accept gifts from a lender, guarantor, or servicer of education loans. For purposes of this policy, a gift to a family member of an officer or employee or to any other individual based on that individual’s relationship with the officer or employee, shall be considered a gift to the officer or employee if the gift is given with the knowledge and acquiescence of the officer or employee and the officer or employee has reason to believe the gift was given because of the official position of the officer or employee.

No officer or employee of the SSAG’s financial aid office, or employee or agent who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans, shall accept from a lender or an affiliate of any lender, any fee, payment, or other financial benefit as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or contract to provide services to or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans.

The academy shall not assign, through the award packaging or other methods, a first-time borrower’s loan to a private lender. In addition, the academy shall not refuse to certify, or delay the certification, of any loan based on the borrower’s selection of a particular lender or guaranty.

The academy shall not request or accept from any lender any offer of funds for private loans, including funds for an opportunity pool loan, to students in exchange for providing concessions or promises to the lender for a specific number of federal loans made, insured, or guaranteed, a specified loan volume, or a preferred lender arrangement.

The academy deducts tuition and fees from your financial aid award directly. If your award is less than the cost of tuition and fees, you must pay the difference through scheduled monthly payments by setting up a payment plan with the Financial Aid Office.

The academy deducts Books and Kit Fees from your financial aid award directly. These fees will be charged and deducted from your financial aid throughout the program on a proration of each payment period.

Disbursements occur when the academy receives federal, state, or other funds on your behalf. These funds are applied to your student account to cover your tuition, fees, books and supplies charges.

Loan Disbursements

All loans are disbursed in two payments, even if the loan is for one payment period.

Cosmetology 1200 Program

In your first academic year (first 900 hours), you will receive one half of the loan after you have successfully completed 30 calendar days in attendance at the academy. You will only receive the second half of the loan after you have successfully completed 450 hours and 14.5 weeks of your program.

In your second academic year (901 – 1200 Hours), you will receive two loan disbursements within that term, one half of the loan after you have successfully completed 900 hours and 29 weeks at the academy. The second at the halfway point of the term which is 1050 hours and 34 weeks.

Full Specialist Program

You will receive one half of the loan disbursement after you have successfully completed 30 calendar days in attendance at the academy. You will only receive the second half of the loan disbursement after you have successfully completed 300 hours and 10 weeks of your program.

Refunds occur when the amount of the disbursements received on your behalf is greater than the amount owed for tuition, fees, books and supplies costs. Financial aid refunds begin at the end of the fifth week of classes (approximately 30 days).

Example Student Disbursement Calculation

Actual amounts will vary.

Licensed cosmetologists, skin care specialists, and full specialists from Florida may apply for licenses in their field of expertise in other states and must comply with each state’s laws and rules to become licensed there.

Program Reciprocity with Other States

STATE	1200 COS	1500 COS	BARBERING	FULL SPEC	SKIN CARE
Alabama	N	Y	N/A	N	N
Alaska	N	N	N	Y	N
Arizona	N	N	N	N	N
Arkansas	N	Y	N	Y	N
California	N	N	N	Y	N
Colorado	N	N	N	Y	N
Connecticut	N	Y	N	Y	N
Delaware	N	Y	N	Y	N
District of Columbia	N	Y	N	Y	N
Florida	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Georgia	N	Y	N	N	N
Hawaii	N	N	N	Y	N
Idaho	N	N	N	Y	N
Illinois	N	Y	N	N	Y
Indiana	N	Y	N	N	N
Iowa	N	N	N	Y	N
Kansas	N	Y	N	N	N
Kentucky	N	N	N	N	N
Louisiana	N	Y	N	N	Y
Maine	N	Y	N	Y	N
Maryland	N	Y	Y	Y	N
Massachusetts	Y	Y	N	Y	N
Michigan	N	Y	N	Y	N
Minnesota	N	N	N	Y	N
Mississippi	N	Y	N	Y	N
Missouri	N	Y	N	N	N
Montana	N	N	N	N	N
Nebraska	N	N	N	Y	N
Nevada	N	N	N	N	N
New Hampshire	N	Y	Y	N	N
New Jersey	Y	Y	Y	Y	N
New Mexico	N	N	N	Y	N
New York	Y	Y	N	Y	N
North Carolina	N	Y	N	Y	Y
North Dakota	N	N	N	Y	N
Ohio	N	Y	N	N	N
Oklahoma	N	Y	N	Y	N
Oregon	N	N	Y	Y	N
Pennsylvania	N	Y	N	Y	N
Rhode Island	N	Y	N	Y	N
South Carolina	N	Y	N	Y	N
South Dakota	N	N	N	Y	N
Tennessee	N	Y	N	N	N
Texas	N	Y	N	N	N
Utah	N	N	Y	Y	N
Vermont	N	Y	Y	Y	N
Virginia	N	Y	N	Y	N
Washington	N	N	Y	Y	N
West Virginia	N	N	N	Y	N
Wisconsin	N	N	N	Y	N
Wyoming	N	N	N	Y	N

Y = Yes program curriculum meets state educational requirements for professional licensure.

N = No, program curriculum does not meet state educational requirements for professional licensure.

N/A = Cannot make a determination if program curriculum meets state educational requirements for professional licensure.

Cosmetology

To become licensed in cosmetology in Florida, students must complete the hours contracted (Minimum 1200 hours) graduate from an approved school, and pass the state board and state law exams.

Skin Care Specialist

To become licensed in skin care (skin care specialist) in Florida, a student must complete hours contracted from an approved school and pass the final exam. (Minimum 280 hours)

Full Specialist

To become licensed in full specialist (nail and skin) in Florida, a student must complete the hours from an approved school and pass the final exam. (Minimum 500 hours)

There are many opportunities open to licensed cosmetologists, skin care specialists, and nail care specialists. Summit Salon Academy – Gainesville prepares all graduates for the licensing exam and entry-level positions in hair studios, spa salons and destination spas. Additional industry experience could lead to employment as a manufacturer sales/educational representative, a distributor sales consultant, salon owner, school owner or educator, Cosmetic consultants, stage and screen artists, and platform artist, to name some of the opportunities.

Florida’s voter registration form asks for your Florida driver’s license or ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Failure to provide this information could lead to you having to show additional identification when you vote that shows your picture or your name and address. Make sure to provide this information on the registration form so the state can verify your identity and you don’t run into problems when you cast your ballot.

Students have a choice about where to register to vote.

School address: Students attending college in Florida may register at their school address. You must plan to return after temporary absences, like summer break, but do not have to plan to reside at that address permanently.

Permanent address: Students may choose to register or remain registered at a permanent address in Florida or outside the state. In this case, students may need to vote by absentee ballot.

You may only be registered and vote in one location.

In-person voters must always present photo and signature ID before voting. The forms of ID below are accepted if they include a photo and signature.

• Student ID
• Florida driver’s license
• Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• S. passport
• Debit or credit card
• Military identification
• Retirement center identification
• Neighborhood association identification
• Public assistance identification
• Concealed weapons permit
• Federal/state/county/municipal employee ID
• Veteran Health ID issued by the VA

If your ID lacks a signature, bring another ID with a signature like a credit or debit card. Your additional signature ID does not have to have a photo. If you lack proper ID, you can vote a provisional ballot which will be counted if your signature matches the signature on your registration form.

Find your polling location online at http://elections.myflorida.com through Voter Information Lookup. Voters must cast their ballots in the correct precinct. Sometimes there are multiple precincts in one polling place, so confirm your precinct ahead of time and get in the correct line!

Early in Person Florida counties must at least offer early voting 10 days before an election until 3 days before an election. Counties may offer additional early voting dates or adjust polling hours, so contact your County Supervisor of Elections for local information, including locations. Vote by Mail Any Florida voter may request a vote by mail ballot. The request must be received by the 6th day before Election Day. Completed vote by mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Contact your County Supervisor of Elections to request a ballot. On Election Day the polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Where you register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants and Perkins or Stafford loans or your dependency status regarding FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Generally, no. If you receive scholarship money from a state, county, town, or a private entity (i.e., an entity other than the federal government) you should confirm that residency in a place is not a requirement of the scholarship and/or that voter registration in Florida will not affect your eligibility.

Yes. Florida considers anyone who registers to vote in the state to be a resident. The law then requires you to obtain a Florida driver’s license if you drive in the state and to register any car that you drive in Florida.

No. Students are often told that registering to vote in a different state from their parents will make them lose their dependency status. This is not true. Where you register to vote will have no effect on your parent’s tax status.

No. You may choose to vote in your college community or back home regardless of your tuition status.